HC Deb 12 April 1938 vol 334 cc902-3
2. Sir A. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for War how Andrew Vanderberg, aged 37, and Reginald Kaye, aged 16, were accepted as recruits in the Army in view of their age and previous criminal record?

Sir V. Warrender

In both cases characters were obtained in accordance with the Recruiting Regulations, neither of them disclosing any suggestion that the men had been in trouble during the periods covered by the characters. Vanderberg appears to have been well conducted since his return to England from Canada, where he had, as it now appears, served in the Canadian Forces under another name.

Sir A. Knox

Is it not possible to tighten up this character test for men desirous of obtaining enlistment, in view of the fact that respectable serving soldiers bitterly resent the enlistment of men of this type, as it gives the Army a bad name?

Sir V. Warrender

Yes, Sir; precautions are taken to verify references and characters where it is thought desirable, and certain instructions are issued.

Mr. Mabane

Will my hon. Friend deal with that part of the question which refers to age?

Sir V. Warrender

It is the fact that both these men gave false ages. Vander-berg stated his age to be 26, and Kaye said that his age was 18.

Brigadier-General Brown

Will not my hon. Friend stop this policy of recruiting "at any price," and see to it that when recruiting men of the age of 26 or 27, the Army recruiting office should at least get their characters before sending them to join a regiment, as would be done in the case of other professions?

Mr. Thurtle

Do not both these cases show the desirability of the War Office insisting upon the production of birth certificates?

Sir V. Warrender

It may be true to say that, in this particular case, neither of these men would have got into the Army if birth certificates had been required of them, but it must not be forgotten that, if we were to introduce a system for the production of birth certificates before attestation, several thousand men of excellent character would be lost to the Army annually.